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Time Out says

5 out of 5 stars

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(18)

2 out of 5 stars

Time Out says

5 out of 5 stars

‘The bar with no name’, it styles itself – try telling that to a taxi driver. In reality, everyone knows this place by its address, hidden away from the Upper Street hordes on an Islington backstreet. It’s the tiny flagship of bar supremo Tony Conigliaro, noted worldwide for his dedication to the art of the mixed drink: as such, it’s not easy to get a seat here without booking. Punters come for the cocktails, all of which are outstanding. Some of them may push the boundaries of what can be put in a glass, but always maintain the drinkability of the classics. Take the Terroir, for instance, which lists as its ingredients ‘distilled clay, flint and lichen’, and tastes wonderfully like a chilled, earthy, minerally vodka – the distilled essence of a winter mountainside. It’s made in Conigliaro’s upstairs laboratory, which also produces bespoke cocktail ingredients such as Guinness reduction, paprika bitters, rhubarb cordial and pine-infused gin. A subtle jazz-age vibe is adopted throughout, with smartly clad bar staff, vintage advertising posters, black and white checked floor tiles and a pianist belting out swinging standards.

Terrible, terrible, terrible. Keep in mind I used to love this place, way back when there was the spirit of the founding bartender in the place. Now it feels like a speakeasy theme bar, with the piano and the small glasses on napkins and jazz theme music, only now staffed by what looked like under-aged bartenders loudly boasting about which girl they were shagging (yes really). And the drinks - if the rest didn't seem cynical enough it gets worse. For anyone who has had a classic cocktail, made with pride, filled with generosity and with a genuine understanding of the craft, which this place apparently sells itself on, well you'll want to drown your anger with cheap pints of Stella. You can pontificate all you like about paprika bitters or distilled clay, but if you can't make a proper Old Fashioned, Sidecar or Negroni then its just increasingly obvious you're a cynical theme-scam. Don't fall for it, please.

This is cute little bar is the perfect little date place. Lovely cocktails, lovely service, and it has an almost retro vintage feel. It's not a big bar, so not perfect for large gatherings, but it's ideal if you just want a well crafted cocktail to start the night.

Great cosy little place perfect for a special treat when you want to splash out on a fancy cocktail or two. Bar staff are great at helping you choose according to your tipples of choice and not at all snooty. I have already recommended this to many friends.

Good, tasty cocktails made with a bit of experimental flair but the staff could use a lesson in service and the place is so small you feel like you're sharing your table with the entire bar. Disappointing and overrated, unfortunately.

Sounds like a typical small operation that is run by bar tenders and not hospitality enthusiasts, hence the arrogance where this is my domain and I know everything rather than, welcome to my home, I do some really fun drinks, what can I find that suites you?, they should name a cocktail humble and drink them all night. Bar tenders tend the bar, where knowledge, personality and technique is the only thing that makes them different from the person who is on the other side. they are your guests, treat them so.....

It's just not worth it. Every thing about this place is too small! Overpriced and overrated for a very uncomfortable experience. Wait until they move on to a larger spot. Not the friendliest staff either.

We went for a mate's 40th to see the legendary Gary Regan deliver an hilarious talk on bars that never made money! The drinks were great - if a little on the small side - the service helpful and friendly, and the atmosphere unpretentious. Plus we even got one of Regan's infamous finger-stirred Negronis! A great experience.

Really good -- call and reserve a spot as it gets busy...
Much more intimate and frankly mature than the over run bars and pubs.
Excellent quality of drinks --- I'm not an expert but the prices seemed fair for the brands used.. They don't make a song and dance over the presentation of the drinks (droll now surely) and they are a good portion. Went with a mate and was ideal for a catch up I don't recommend it as a group spot its tiny!

Service and atmosphere have always been fine but why am I paying more than £10 for the smallest drinks in the world? Saw someone get a martini when I was there not one of the drinks on the menu... He was charged more than the other drinks!

After the hype of this place I expected great things but I was really disappointed. The cocktails were certainly nothing special at the price they were and the staff were really quite rude. Guests were constantly being ushered in and out, I was being knocked constantly and you could hear the staff muttering to each other about how they needed to 'get rid' of that table as they had another group arriving. Not particularly relaxing. Why it's been voted the best cocktail bar in London I will never know.

Worst birthday experience ever! We booked a table for ten, we were told several times that USUALLY they only accept a booking for 6 but they were going to make an exception. On the night we arrived 10minutes late (hey, have you ever caught the tube!) they had already removed one of our tables! By the time all ten of us arrived they decided that they're going to remove one more table, cause it's not right if people are sitting comfortbally whilst enjoying their drink! Three of us ended up sharing two chairs! The service wasn't great and when one of us decided not to pay the full DISCRETIONARY service charge she was told by the rude staff that she had to pay the full service charge, thereby defeating the purpose of it being discretionary.
If you decide to go, don't bother booking, make sure you're not more than 4 people and don't expect any friendly service.
To the TIme Out critcs please don't reconsider your rating!